Independence House
Independence House is a permanent supportive housing facility that provides very low-income persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with affordable, accessible housing and support services. Survivors of catastrophic injury to the central nervous system are a drastically under-served segment of the disabled population. Development funding sources include HUD's Section 811 Program, loans from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and grants from private foundations.
Opened in September 2005, Independence House was the City of Richmond's first community home for survivors of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Support services are available to empower tenants to become more independent and healthy by accessing community resources for basic human needs, re-learning certain skills, and participating in education activities, or gaining employment. Independence House accommodates six tenants and one resident manager. Tenants have been referred from service agencies serving the SCI/TBI population in Richmond and pay 30% of their income with a minimum of $50 per month. Independence House is supported in part by state general funds administered by the Department of Rehabilitative Services.
